Geographic Area Direction

BERTHOUD PASS GEOGRAPHIC AREA

Setting

The area consists of high-elevation, mountainous lands extending north of the Interstate 70 corridor up to and including the U.S. Highway 40 corridor, and up to the Continental Divide to the west and north. The elevation range is 9,200 feet to 13,553 feet. The area has nine peaks over 13,000 feet. Approximately one-third of the area is above timberline, and consists of alpine meadow and rock. Lodgepole pine stands with a minor component of aspen and ponderosa pine occur at the lower elevations up to about 10,000 feet, and dense spruce and fir stands cover the area up to about 11,500 feet. The area contains important habitats for bighorn sheep, boreal toad, greenback cutthroat trout and lynx, and potential habitat for wolverine. Bard Creek and Herman Gulch contain a reintroduced population of greenback cutthroat trout.

The area receives a high level of both summer and winter recreational use. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail traverses the area. , accessed by U.S. Highway 40, is a major access point to the Continental Divide, and the surrounding area receives a very high level of dispersed winter and summer recreational use. An electronics site is on the summit of Mines Peak. Henderson Mine, owned by Cyprus-Amax, Inc., is a large private inholding, and is currently under large-scale operation.

The area is accessed by I-70, U.S. Highway 40, Bard Creek Road (Forest Service Road 277), Road (Forest Service Road 144) and a few unimproved roads in the Democrat Mountain and Woods Creek areas. The Forest Service has public easements on several roads through the Henderson Mine property. There are about 20 miles of nonmotorized trails, including the heavily-used Herman Gulch Trail, and many miles of informal trail near or along the Continental Divide.

Goals and Desired Conditions

Within the delineated lynx linkage area (on both sides of Berthoud Pass) maintain or improve habitat values for lynx movement. Throughout the entire Geographic Area, provide a variety of recreational opportunities while maintaining important habitat for boreal toad, wolverine, greenback cutthroat trout, bighorn sheep, and lynx. Add and improve trailheads and nonmotorized trails to key attraction areas such as the Continental Divide, high peaks, and alpine lakes. Provide law enforcement, signing, and closures to prevent off-road vehicular activity. Improve and increase boreal toad habitat in cooperation with the Division of Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Seek opportunities to improve instream conditions in the and West Fork Clear Creek watersheds, which were rated Class III (non-functional) in the watershed condition assessment. Seek opportunities to re-establish cover (old ski slopes) within the lynx linkage area.

Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005) Chapter Two · 113 Geographic Area Direction

Within the old Berthoud Pass ski area, non-motorized recreation will be emphasized through closure orders prohibiting motorized recreational activities. Motorized access in the old Berthoud Pass ski area will be limited to administrative purposes and permitted activities.

Pursue rights-of-way where needed to provide legal access along primary access roads. Acquire isolated private lands, as opportunities arise, to consolidate landownership.

The wildland fire management strategy is perimeter control, with details shown on the wildland fire management strategy map.

Management Area 1.3

Maintain semiprimitive nonmotorized opportunities. Provide a limited number of nonmotorized trails to accommodate access.

Continue to prohibit snowmobile use in the basins of Butler Gulch and Herman Gulch.

Manage activities to protect existing greenback cutthroat trout habitat and populations, and to enhance recovery.

Management Area 3.3

Provide a well-signed and controlled network of motorized and nonmotorized routes for 4WD, all-terrain vehicles, and mountain bike recreation on existing roads. Improve parking facilities and access for recreation, in cooperation with Cyprus-Amax, Inc.

Provide high-quality snowmobiling and backcountry skiing opportunities.

Management Area 3.5

Perform vegetation management to improve sheep habitat, including the use of mechanical treatments and prescribed fire to create and maintain open timber stands and meadows.

Accommodate motorized uses by maintaining a network of existing 4WD routes. Do not expand motorized opportunities. Install seasonal closures and close selected roads to motorized use to protect important wildlife habitat, particularly sheep habitat.

Management Area 3.55

Perform vegetation management and rehabilitation to improve forest cover within the lynx linkage area. Protect forested corridor to provide for wildlife movement and dispersal.

Accommodate non-motorized uses by maintaining existing routes and concentrating use onto existing routes. Do not expand use within the lynx linkage area and discourage use during the night. Install seasonal closures as needed to protect important wildlife habitat, particularly lynx habitat.

Chapter Two · 114 Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005)

Geographic Area Direction

Management Area 4.2

Manage the U.S. Highway 40 corridor to protect the high scenic value of views of the natural landscape, increase trailhead, day-use and developed camping facilities, and improve universal access. Coordinate with Colorado Department of Transportation to reduce impacts of Highway 40, emphasizing visuals and soil and water protection.

Continue to permit existing recreational residences.

Management Area 4.3

Provide a well-signed and controlled network of motorized and nonmotorized routes for 4WD, all-terrain vehicles, and mountain bike recreation on existing roads. Improve parking facilities and access for recreation.

Pursue reclamation of closed or abandoned mining sites in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Colorado, and Clear Creek County to improve water and soil quality and reduce hazards.

Management Area 8.3

Improve the appearance of the Mines Peak electronics site with emphasis on removing large structures and consolidating users.

Travel Management Strategy, Berthoud Pass Geographic Area Management Area Mode Existing Convert New Extent of Extent of System Ways Rds/Trls Additions Obliterations 4WD N N N N L MTR N N N N N 1.3 WMT Y Y N L N WNM Y Y Y H N NMT Y Y Y H N 4WD Y Y N L L MTR Y Y N L N 3.3 WMT Y Y N L N WNM Y Y Y L N NMT Y Y Y L N 4WD Y N N N L MTR Y N N N N 3.5 WMT N N N N N WNM Y Y N L N NMT Y Y N L N 4WD N N N N N MTR N N N N N 3.55 WMT N N N N N WNM Y N N N N NMT Y Y N L L

Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005) Chapter Two · 115 Geographic Area Direction

Management Area Mode Existing Convert New Extent of Extent of System Ways Rds/Trls Additions Obliterations 4WD Y N N N N MTR N N N N N 4.2 WMT N N N N N WNM Y Y N L N NMT Y Y Y L N 4WD Y Y N L L MTR Y Y N L N 4.3 WMT Y N N N N WNM Y Y N L N NMT Y Y N N N 4WD N N N N L MTR N N N N N 8.3 WMT N N N N N WNM Y N N N N NMT Y Y Y L L

Chapter Two · 116 Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005)

Geographic Area Direction

JAMES PEAK GEOGRAPHIC AREA

Setting

The area is located between Rollins Pass and Berthoud Pass along the Continental Divide. It contains a mix of upper montane, subalpine and alpine plant communities consisting of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, lodgepole, limber, and bristlecone pine, aspen, krummholz, meadows, tundra, willow carrs, wet areas, glacial lakes and rock outcrops. Elevations range from 9,200 to 13,391 feet. Mount Eva, Mount Flora, and James and Parry Peaks are the prominent geographic features.

The area currently provides excellent opportunities for semiprimitive and primitive backcountry nonmotorized recreation. Cattle grazing occurs in the vicinity of Mammoth Gulch and on Nebraska Hill which is part of the Mammoth Allotment.

Access into and through the area is provided on a limited trail network that includes the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

Goals and Desired Conditions

Maintain natural conditions while providing opportunities for year-round recreational use.

Within the delineated lynx linkage area (at and near Berthoud Pass) maintain or improve habitat values for lynx movement. Maintain or expand mountain grassland and early successional lodgepole pine communities on an opportunity basis. Emphasize old-growth recruitment and retention. Allow fire to play as natural a role as possible in the area. This includes using prescribed fire to alter vegetative conditions, particularly in the southern portion of the geographic area where habitat improvement for the resident bighorn sheep herd is an important goal. The wildland fire management strategy is perimeter control. Insects and disease outbreaks are generally allowed to run their course. Rehabilitate disturbed areas where unacceptable resource damage is occurring to restore habitat quantity and quality for native plant and animal species. Timber harvest and road construction are not allowed.

Provide year-round recreational opportunities on a trail system designed for four-season use. Emphasis is on providing opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and crosscountry skiing. Mountain biking is permitted on designated routes. Protect current access on trails in the area by pursuing a right-of-way for the Ute Trail. Retain most of the existing trail system but consider some closures and obliterations. An increase in trail mileage is expected as existing trails are relocated and reconstructed to meet management area objectives and construction of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is completed.

In managing the area for year-round backcountry use, prevent degradation of riparian areas, alpine lakes, and fragile alpine ecosystems by initiating such actions as limiting camping to designated sites in specific areas and prohibiting campfires on an as-needed basis. Current areas of concern where designated campsites may be necessary are Forest, Arapaho, Crater, Clayton, Iceberg, Heart, Rogers Pass, and lakes. Campfires are of the highest

Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005) Chapter Two · 77 Geographic Area Direction

concern in the South Boulder Creek and Mammoth Gulch areas. Evaluate road and trail impacts to aquatic and riparian ecosystems during travel management implementation.

Consolidate landownership patterns with priority given to acquiring isolated mineral patents and State Land Board lands.

Cooperate with other agencies to determine the presence, status, and genetic purity of greenback and Colorado River cutthroat trout in the area streams. Manage pure populations of cutthroat trout that may be identified so that habitat and viability are protected and recovery efforts are enhanced.

Standards and Guidelines

1. (GL) Prohibit camping within 100 feet of all lakes shores, streambanks, and trails.

2. (GL) Prohibit recreational livestock within 100 feet of lake shores and streambanks except for watering and through travel.

Travel Management Strategy, James Peak Geographic Area Existing Convert New Extent of Extent of Management Area Mode System Ways Rds/Trls Additions Obliterations 4WD N N N N N MTR N N N N N 3.1 WMT N N N N N WNM Y N Y M M NMT Y Y Y M M 4WD N N N N N MTR N N N N N 3.55 WMT N N N N N WNM Y N N N N NMT Y Y N L L

Chapter Two · 78 Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005)

Geographic Area Direction

WINTER PARK GEOGRAPHIC AREA

Setting

The area is located approximately 1 mile south of the Town of Winter Park, and includes 13,645 acres, of which 440 acres are private inholdings. Elevations vary from 12,391 feet at the top of Russell Peak to 8,950 feet along U.S. Highway 40. Most of the area is forested with lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce and aspen. Alpine meadows and tundra occur above timberline along ridges and peaks. The major streams are Little Vasquez, Zero, First, Second, Current, and Parsenn Creeks and the . Zero, First, Second, and Currant Creeks drainages are characterized by open cirques with large wetlands below; the creeks originate from these wetlands and branch several times before reaching the Fraser River. These drainages are very popular with winter recreationists who use them for backcountry skiing.

The City of owns and operates the Winter Park/Mary Jane Ski Areas under special use permit. Ski area development includes 20 lifts, over 1,300 acres of skiable terrain, and several on-area mountain restaurants. Summer activities include an alpine slide, outdoor concerts, mini-golf, mountain biking, and other recreational events and festivals.

Goals and Desired Conditions

Continue managing Winter Park Ski Area (WPSA) as a premier, four-season resort. Issue and administer a 40-year term permit to Winter Park Ski Area. Review for approval WPSA's updated Master Development Plan for facility reconstruction and expansion. Permit development and use that is compatible with the environment, although the area will continue to look like a large resort with many runs cut through the forest. The private land at the base of the ski area will be developed to enhance the resort's desirability as a destination resort.

Update and implement the Winter Park Ski Area Vegetation Management Plan to pursue overall improvement of vegetation at the area. A full range of silvicultural and harvest practices may be utilized, but logging occurs only on an irregular, opportunity- or need-driven basis. Only portions of the area designated in the Vegetation Management Plan or designated for expansion by Winter Park Ski Area will be affected. Harvest is utilized only to meet ski area objectives. Harvesting will occur on tentatively suitable, not available, and on unsuitable lands as long as allowed by management area prescriptions and forestwide standards and guidelines.

Manage Winter Park Ski Area's summer mountain-bike program for heavy use as a national mountain-biking destination.

Utilize the Corona Area Implementation Plan to support economic development and growth of the area and to increase administrative efficiency through landownership adjustments.

Manage Zero, First, Second, and Currant Creeks to preserve nonmotorized, dispersed recreational opportunities without altering the primitive nature of the area. Retain the cabins in First, Second, and Current Creek drainages as long as they are managed under permit with Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005) Chapter Two · 319 Geographic Area Direction

an outside agent; the cabins may be destroyed if management reverts back to the Forest Service because of budget and liability considerations. Develop an interpretive program that emphasizes the avalanche dangers inherent to these drainages and the summer uniqueness of the area's high alpine environment. Manage access to the area's backcountry ski terrain by establishing gates and appropriate signing along the Winter Park Ski Area permit boundary. Maintain the open terrain, trailless character of the area.

Pursue opportunities to improve conditions in the Fraser River watershed, which was rated Class III (non-functional) in the watershed-condition assessment. Protect and enhance habitat for Colorado River cutthroat trout in Little Vasquez Creek.

Within the delineated lynx linkage area (on both sides of Berthoud Pass) maintain or improve habitat values for lynx movement. Pursue opportunities to improve conditions of the lynx linkage area at Berthoud Pass through vegetation management and rehabilitation. Protect forested corridor to provide for wildlife movement and dispersal. Utilize seasonal closures as needed to protect important wildlife habitat within the lynx linkage area and discourage night use.

Manage the increasing demand for special-use permits for a variety of recreational activities in Winter Park.

Within the old Berthoud Pass ski area, non-motorized recreation will be emphasized through closure orders prohibiting motorized recreational activities. Motorized access in the old Berthoud Pass ski area will be limited to administrative purposes and permitted activities.

Fire management prescriptions for the geographic area are shown on the wildland fire management strategy map included in this document.

Travel Management Strategy, Winter Park Geographic Area Management Area Mode Existing Convert New Extent of Extent of System Ways Rds/Trls Additions Obliteration 4WD N N N N N MTR N N N N N 1.3 WMT N N N N N WNM Y N N N N NMT Y N N N N 4WD N N N N N MTR N N N N N 3.55 WMT N N N N N WNM Y N N N N NMT Y Y N L L

Chapter Two · 320 Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005)

Geographic Area Direction

Management Mode Existing Convert New Extent of Extent of Area System Ways Rds/Trls Additions Obliteration 4WD N N N N L MTR N N N N N 4.2 WMT N N N N N WNM N N N N N NMT N N N N N 4WD Y N N N N MTR N N N N N 4.3 WMT Y N N N N WNM Y N N N N NMT Y N N N N 4WD Y N Y L H MTR N N N N N 8.22 WMT Y N Y L N WNM Y N Y H N NMT Y N Y H L

Replacement Page via Amendment 7 (October 2005) Chapter Two · 321 Geographic Area Direction

HABITAT EFFECTIVENESS BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA

Effective habitat is estimated to exist on about 67 percent of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. The following table displays the amounts of effective habitat by geographic area (for National Forest System lands only) in relationship to travelway densities. The geographic area with the lowest proportion (39 percent) is Mammoth, which is a small area with interspersed landownership, development and high road densities near population centers of the . The highest habitat effectiveness occurs in Area with 95 percent. Effective habitat is estimated to exist on about 60 percent of the Pawnee .

Table 2.2 Habitat Effectiveness Compared with Road and Trail Densities by Geographic Area FS Habitat Open Total Density Geographic Area Name Open Trails Effectiveness Roads (mi/mi2) Arapaho National Rec Area 47 1.7 0.7 2.4 Berthoud Pass 70 1.0 0.4 1.4 Boulder Creek 52 1.6 0.6 2.2 Bowen 73 0.2 0.9 1.1 Brainard Lake 48 1.6 2.2 3.8 Broken Rack 69 1.7 0.1 1.8 Buckhorn 63 1.4 0.3 1.7 Buffalo Park 78 0.8 0.4 1.2 Cabin Creek 53 3.3 0.0 3.3 Cache la Poudre 90 0.0 0.1 0.1 Cameron Pass 55 1.9 0.3 2.2 Caribou 53 2.6 0.0 2.6 Cedar Park 74 0.9 0.1 1.0 Cherokee Park 54 2.0 0.2 2.2 Chicago Creek 54 2.4 0.3 2.7 77 0.0 0.9 0.9 Crooked Creek 60 1.9 0.5 2.4 Crosier 72 0.4 0.7 1.1 Crown Point 60 1.4 0.4 1.8 Deadman 56 1.8 0.1 1.9 Elk Creek 42 3.3 1.5 4.8 Elk Ridge 80 0.7 0.1 0.8 Elkhorn 54 1.7 0.0 1.7 Evergreen 72 0.6 1.1 1.7 Fraser Experimental Forest 78 0.8 0.4 1.2 Greyrock 71 0.7 0.2 0.9 77 0.0 0.9 0.9 James Creek 57 2.0 0.3 2.3 James Peak 82 0.1 0.6 0.7 Laramie River Valley 66 1.4 0.1 1.5 Lion Gulch 71 1.0 0.3 1.3 Little Gravel 72 1.5 0.2 1.7

Chapter Two · 322

Geographic Area Direction

FS Habitat Open Total Density Geographic Area Name Open Trails Effectiveness Roads (mi/mi2) Lone Pine 80 0.5 0.2 0.7 66 1.7 0.4 2.1 Lump Gulch 49 2.9 0.4 3.3 Mammoth 39 2.3 0.0 2.3 Middle St. Vrain 59 1.6 0.8 2.4 Mt. Evans Wilderness 77 0.7 0.2 0.9 Neota Wilderness 95 0.0 0.1 0.1 68 0.2 1.1 1.3 Niwot Ridge 74 0.7 0.5 1.2 North St. Vrain 75 0.9 0.4 1.3 Parkca 67 1.5 0.5 2.0 Pingree 58 1.5 0.4 1.9 Poudre Canyon 62 1.2 0.4 1.6 Poverty 77 0.7 0.1 0.8 Ranch Creek 60 1.4 0.6 2.0 83 0.0 0.6 0.6 Redfeather 52 1.7 0.1 1.8 Roach 56 1.9 0.0 1.9 Sheep Creek 62 1.8 0.0 1.8 Stillwater 44 2.3 1.2 3.5 Sugarloaf 41 2.9 0.3 3.3 Tabernash 87 0.3 0.5 0.8 Thorodin 59 1.3 0.6 1.9 Vasquez 84 0.0 0.6 0.6 Williams Gulch 88 0.4 0.2 0.6 Winter Park 54 2.5 0.6 3.1 Yankee Hill 47 2.7 0.1 2.8

Forestwide 67 1.2 0.4 1.6 Grassland (Single Area) 60 1.1 0.0 1.1

Chapter Two · 323